Pastor Stefan Nitzschke is joined by J David, a police officer and biblical counselor. J shares why he became a police officer, how he got into biblical counseling, and his path through seminary and ACBC certification. J shares how he processes the brokenness that he encounters daily as a police officer as well as his advice for biblical counselors struggling with mire that they encounter. 

Jonathan Smith, Director of Technology at Faith Church and author of #RUHooked, shares insights on technology and parenting. He encourages parents to teach their children how to use technology responsibly, not just let them fail and figure it out on their own. He also encourages parents to be an example to their children, using technology responsibly themselves. You can learn more about this topic by checking out his book and by visiting faithlafayette.org/parenttech.

We are joined by Dr. Charles Hodges, practicing physician at St. Vincent Family Medicine in Indianapolis and Executive Director of Vision of Hope in Lafayette. Dr. Hodges has been practicing medicine for 48 years. Dr. Hodges shares his fascinating story of how he became involved with biblical counseling after becoming bored with doctoring. Being both a doctor and biblical counselor, those two often intersect - occasionally he’s able to use his biblical knowledge in the medical room and share the love of Christ with his patients. Other times, he’s able to use his medical knowledge in the counseling room concerning things like depression, OCD, bipolar disorder, anxiety, etc., but in a position to help people with what medicine can’t fix - sharing the sufficient principles of Scripture that give hope and help. Dr. Hodges also explains his involvement in editing the second edition of The Christian Counselor’s Medicine Desk Reference, a resource to help pastors and counselors answer questions and offer solid biblical advice for counseling those with medical issues.

Pastor Rob & Stephanie Green join us to discuss their book “Tying Their Shoes” – a Jesus-focused parenting resource. While other parenting resources exist to help expectant parents prepare for what’s around the corner, the Greens know the gospel is the best resource to ground couples in their relationships with the Lord, with each other, and with their children. They discuss the blessings and challenges of parenting and provide biblically focused training as parents prepare for their new little one. You can purchase “Tying Their Shoes” here.

We’re joined once again by Pastor Rob Green. On our last podcast with Pastor Green we talked about pre-engagement counseling, but this time we are going to discuss pre-marriage counseling. Pastor Green wrote “Tying the Knot” as a resource for pastors and counselors to use for pre-marriage counseling. His goal in this book was to emphasize Jesus on every page – Jesus at the center. You can learn more about this book and purchase it here.

Long-time members of Faith Church, Jerry & Rita Jamison, join the podcast to delve into Faith Church’s history in Biblical Counseling. They recount how Faith got introduced to Biblical counseling and how greatly the church body and ministry was impacted in those early days and still now decades later. You won’t want to miss this peek into the past.

Pastor Rob Green joins us again, this time to discuss pre-engagement counseling. You read that right, pre-engagement counseling, not pre-marriage counseling. This may be a new concept to you and Pastor Green unpacks why it is a beneficial type of counseling to couples. Pre-engagement counseling differs from pre-marriage counseling because there are different goals and questions that need to be addressed. Pre-engagement counseling asks “should we pursue marriage?” It is an intermediate check point – Should we take the next step, or should we end the relationship?

Today we’re joined by Isaac Madison who is one of our former seminary interns. Isaac just finished a three-year missionary assignment in Japan and is now back in the US raising support with the goal of returning to Japan. Isaac shares with us how his counseling training has helped him meaningfully apply Scripture and help others do the same. His counseling training has even ignited a passion to receive even more training to be further equipped to counsel others.

We’re joined by Dr. Dale Johnson, Associate Professor of Biblical Counseling at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Executive Director of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. Dr. Johnson is passionate about teaching and informing people about biblical counseling, especially pastors. Dr. Johnson is burdened for pastors to see the church function in a way that cares for souls. In these roles, he is able to do just that by both “catching” and training pastors before they go out in ministry or after they’ve been in ministry and realize that they need more training.

We’re joined today by Dr. Charles Ware to discuss the topic of Grace Relations. Dr. Ware explains why he chooses to use the term “grace relations” instead of our culture’s term “race relations.” Dr. Ware believes that the term “grace” gets to the root of the problem. He advocates using the Bible to transform what we say about this topic instead of listening to society. We need to view these issues from God’s Word instead of the lens of the world. For further information on this topic check out his book co-written with Ken Hamm – One Race One Blood.

Dr. Robert Jones is our guest today to discuss his book coming out in August 2023. The book focuses on adultery, specifically written for the person whose spouse has been unfaithful to them. This book is unique in that it’s written for the betrayed spouse, not for the counselor directly, although it will surely be beneficial for both. Dr. Jones says that this book will be beneficial to all types of betrayal as well – not just adultery. He talks about the presence and power of God in a person’s life and working through the sovereignty of God in a significant trial such as this.

Pastor Josh Aucoin joins us to discuss Winter Break @ Faith, a holiday childcare ministry. Josh explains how Winter Break Ministry strives to provide a safe, well-supervised, and fun-filled time for K-5thgraders while their parents are at work. The holidays can be a challenging time for families when school is on break, but the parents still need to work and don’t have or can’t afford other childcare options. This ministry provides a very low-cost option for families and ample opportunity for volunteers to share the love of Jesus with kids in the community. For many of these kids, this is the first time they’re being exposed to the gospel and biblical principles.

Noah Hadley, the director of Car Works, joins the podcast to discuss how something simple like car maintenance can have a lasting impact. Car Works provides assistance to community members in the Lafayette area who have automotive problems and are experiencing financial hardship. These individuals may have a job, pay their rent, and keep food on the table, but seldom have enough money left over for preventive maintenance on their cars - and even less for major automotive repairs. Car Works partners with the Care Team (you can listen more about that in our last episode), to not only repair a vehicle, but help the individual with other needs they may have as well.

Most ministry leaders are familiar with people contacting their church or ministry with a financial need. As followers of Christ, we have compassion for people in need and sincerely want to help, but what do we do when we don’t have unlimited funds, or even if we did, is just handing out money the best way to serve people? Lori Walters joins the podcast again to talk with us about the Care Team ministry. Lori explains the role of the care team and how their volunteers sit and listen to people in need, looking at the whole picture of what brought them to this point, and how to get them to a better/more stable place.

Jim & Caroline Newheiser join the podcast to talk with us about counseling as a couple. For Jim & Caroline, counseling together has been something they’ve done since the beginning of their counseling, but for others, this might be a new idea. The Newheisers discuss the benefits of having both a male and a female in the counseling room and how they both contribute to the session. They believe this is especially beneficial when it comes to marriage and pre-marriage counseling.

Conflict is something that everyone faces at some point. But what do you do when a relationship is at a crisis point? What can you do to help the reconciliation process? Listen along as Dr. Ernie Baker discusses the topic of conflict and mediation.

We’re joined by Dr. Nicolas Ellen who shares his journey of how God is helping him grow in the area of contentment and how to help others do the same. He explains how trials and suffering led him to a better understanding that God is the source of well-being, instead of a faulty belief that well-being comes from people and circumstances. God is the God of comfort; God is up to something good even in our suffering. Dr. Ellen gives some practical tips and book suggestions to grow in the area of contentment and seeking God as your source of comfort and well-being.

We’re joined by Pastor Stefan Nitzschke who talks with us about how biblical counseling and the sufficiency of Scripture impacts college ministry. College students are often open to deep conversations and for most of them, this is their first time on their own and making their own decisions. This makes it the perfect opportunity to come alongside them and help point them to Christ and His Word.

Pastor Johnny Kjaer joins the podcast to discuss youth ministry and how biblical counseling is such an important piece of that, both formally and informally.

In this episode, Pastor Trey Garner helps us explore the relationship between biblical counseling and children’s ministries.

Pastor Greg Wetterlin shares his story and the love he’s had for God’s Word since he was a child. He then explains Restoration Men’s Ministry and how the Bible daily impacts those in the program.

Our guests, Rod & Kathy Hutton, talk about how God led them to the Northend Community Center and how biblical counseling training equips them to interact with those who come through the community center doors.

Today on the podcast, Pastor Aaron Birk joins us to discuss International Ministries and Missions at Faith Church.

Pastor Dustin Folden joins the podcast to discuss adult ministries at Faith Church and the relationship between Sunday and Wednesday ministries and biblical counseling.

Pastor Rob Green, on staff at Faith Church for 17 years, shares with listeners about he and his family’s recent trip to Romania and Moldova to serve Ukrainian refugees.

Dr. Brent Aucoin, President of Faith Bible Seminary, joins the podcast to discuss their “church-based model” of seminary. Dr. Aucoin first explains his background and what led him to building people instead of rockets.

Pastor Chris Moles joins Pastor Steve Viars in this episode. As a pastor and biblical counselor, Chris Moles comes alongside churches and families to confront domestic abuse and promote healthy, God-honoring relationships.

In this episode, Pastor Steve Viars is joined by Pastor John Henderson. They discuss John's background in secular psychology and Christian psychology and how he came to biblical counseling. 

Pastor Steve Viars is joined by Pastor Brad Bigney, Lead Pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Kentucky. In this episode, Pastor Brad gives insight in how to know when a counselee is ready to graduate.

We're joined by Pastor Kevin Carson. Kevin is the Pastor of Sonrise Baptist Church in Ozark, MO and also the department chair of Biblical counseling at Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Springfield, MO. Kevin shares how he and his wife experienced the death of a child early on in their marriage and how to help people grieving in similar ways.

Pastor Steve Viars is joined by Pastor Mark Vroegop, Lead Pastor of College Park Church in Indianapolis, and author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy. Pastor Mark discusses how to use lament in counseling and the Christian life.

Pastor Garrett Higbee, President of Soul Care Consulting, joins the podcast to discuss how counselors can stay spiritually and emotionally healthy as they lead and counsel.

Pastor Steve Viars is joined by Becca Fisher, counseling ministry coordinator at the Church at the Mill, Moore, SC. Becca talks about the hope that biblical counseling brings and discusses the ACBC certification process.

Pastor Steve Viars is joined by Pastor Kike Torres, Senior Pastor of Horizonte Church, Mexico. His church has a robust counseling and training ministry – one of the 1st centers that will be certified by the ACBC outside of the US. Pastor Torres talks about his introduction to biblical counseling and how life changing it has been to him personally and to his ministry.

Dr. Jim Newheiser, the Director of the Christian Counseling program at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC, joins the podcast to discuss his book – Money, Debt, and Finances: Critical Questions and Answers. Dr. Newheiser explains how the world is telling us so many lies about money that it’s important to get the truth from the Word of God.

Pastor Steve Viars is joined today by Tim Pasma, Senior Pastor of LaRue Baptist Church in LaRue, OH. Pastor Pasma discusses how biblical counseling principles radically changed his life, marriage, family, church, and ministry.

Dr. Kevin Backus, Senior Pastor at Bible Presbyterian Church, Grand Island, NY, joins the podcast today. Dr. Backus discusses his role as the senior chaplain for the 14th largest sheriff’s office in America and how biblical counseling impacts that role.

Pastor Steve Viars is joined by Dr. Lance Quinn, pastor of Bethany Bible Church, in Thousand Oaks, California. Pastor Quinn shares about his dear wife of 33 years, Beth, who lost her battle to cancer in 2020. Pastor Quinn talks about the relationship of biblical counseling and the loss of his wife and how biblical truths have helped sustain him.

Pastor Viars is joined by Lisa Hershman, Chief Management Officer of the United States Defense Department. Lisa discusses her role at the Pentagon and how her background prepared her for serving there.

Brandt Hershman, a former Senator of Indiana, joins the podcast to discuss how biblical truths impact him and his realm of influence.

Dr. Craig Svensson joins the podcast again this week to share about his roles at Purdue University (both past and present) and how he holds to the doctrine of Scripture in a secular university.

Joe Blake, the chairman of the deacons at Faith Church, joins Pastor Viars to discuss the importance of using biblical counseling in his role as a deacon.

Pastor Viars is joined by Dr. Craig Svensson who has authored two books - When There Is No Cure and The Painful Path of a Prodigal. Dr. Svensson shares his personal life experiences and how biblical principles have directly impacted his life and how he has dealt personally with both of these issues.

Heather Starkweather, the Clinical Director at Vision of Hope (VOH), joins Pastor Steve Viars to discuss her ministry at VOH and how God works in the hurt & pain and even eventually brings you to a place of thankfulness. Vision of Hope is our Faith-based residential ministry for women whose lives have become characterized by negative, life-dominating habits.

Pastor Steve Viars is joined by Dr. Mark Buono, one of our counseling ministry counselors. Mark is the Senior Cardiothoracic Anesthesiologist for the West Central Region at IU Health. In this episode, Mark shares a bit of his life story - how he came to Christ at age 49, how God has completely transformed his life, and how the sufficiency of Scripture, biblical progressive sanctification, and biblical principles impact him and how he interacts with those around him.

Pastor Steve Viars talks with Jocelyn Wallace. Jocelyn is one of our conference speakers and biblical counselors. She unpacks her story and shares how evident God's work has been in her life and how biblical counseling has personally impacted her.

Scott Grass, the superintendent of Faith Christian School, joins the podcast today to discuss how biblical counseling intersects with our Christian school. Scott and Steve will look at how biblical counseling both impacts the students, teachers, parents, and staff and helps the school function in a unique way.

Pastor Steve Viars talks with Adam Murphy, who serves as Homeless and Community Outreach for the city of Lafayette. This episode looks at the relationship between biblical counseling principles and the church being involved in community outreach ministry.

Lori Walters, the director of Faith Community Development Corporation (CDC), talks with Pastor Steve Viars about what a Community Development Corporation is. They look at how this collaboration with the city of Lafayette strengthens the local community and seek to connect the dots between a church having a CDC and the church having a biblical counseling center - what is the relationship between those two things?

Pastor Steve Viars is joined by Janet Aucoin and Jen Clarke as they discuss how biblical counseling impacts their roles in women’s ministry at Faith Church. Janet Aucoin oversees women’s ministries and Jen Clarke leads the women’s mentor ministry at Faith Church.

Pastor Steve Viars - pastor, counselor, author, and leader in the biblical counseling movement - shares the mission for the Biblical Counseling in Action podcast: exploring how biblical counseling intersects with our jobs, ministries, relationships, etc., and providing real life examples of Biblical Counseling in action – what it looks like in day-to-day living Learn more about Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries at www.faithlafayette.org/counseling.  Learn more about biblical counseling training opportunities at www.faithlafayette.org/conferences.